Friday, October 25, 2013

We tried something new

We went to Dippity Do Dog!  Sophie was so smelly, we decided to try a "do-it-yourself dog wash" in Chandler.  Kimmy went with me and while she washed Jack, I washed Sophie.  I had my hands full trying to hold her, so I wasn't able to get any photos of the actual bathing, but this is what the place looks like:
You get your own stall and waterproof apron.  They provide everything you need - shampoo, conditioner, towels, table, dryer.  It was a nice set up and it keeps the mess out of your house; you just walk away when you're done.  Whew hoo!
On the way home, Kim let Jack sit on her lap and hang his head out the window - a first for him.
 Jack is clean and definitely fluffy...
 and Sophie smells so much better!
Her expression tells you a lot - it was a traumatic afternoon for her 
and she is not sure I can be trusted again.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

October's cards

I am kind of "cheating" when making this month's cards for the card exchange.  While I was at Cindy's, I starting working on my cards.
I decided to print extra copies of a few of the photos taken on my trip.  Instead of stamping the front of the card, I am mounting photos of some of my favorite ones.  The theme this month is "Thank you" and I should be able to make that work.  I am excited to be able to share some of my photos of the amazing scenery.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

A peaceful moment

Meet Cindy's cat, Mesa, who was enjoying a peaceful moment in her new backyard.
She's picture purrrrrfect!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

An inviting space...

My friend, Cindy, and her husband recently downsized to a little smaller home, but ... Cindy still ended up with a craft room - one to die for... with a boat load of storage...
The former owner was a quilter and the room was set up with three sewing machines!  Her husband built in cabinets and work tables - very nice ones with roll-out shelves.  Cindy is not a quilter, but she made good use of her craft room.
There's lots and lots of light in her room - windows down one whole side.  Her craft box fits well into the corner.
Right outside the room, she put a lot of her stamp sets and books in a bookshelf.  It fits perfectly in that space.  It really is an inviting space.  Congrats, Cindy, on getting your room set up and ready to go.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Daughter No. 1

Both daughters went to a masquerade party, but I only have a picture of one - my oldest, Kate.
So cute! 
I wish I had one of Kimberly, too.  :(

Friday, October 18, 2013

It's been almost two weeks since I had bunion surgery

My foot has been wrapped in bandages, and I've been wearing a boot since my surgery.  I had to sleep in the boot, which was pretty uncomfortable.  So today, when I went to the doctor, it was the first time I have seen my foot in 10 days.  You can imagine my desire to see what it looks like.  I thought I would share with you the photos I took while my boot was off:
Stitches were taken out today.  I think it looks really good considering what they did to my foot.  Like the "X" on my ankle?  That ensured that the doctor operated on the correct foot.  It worked.  I have learned this is a long process.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

I am always proud of my daughters, BUT...

Kimberly recently sent me this photo...
So glad she is proud enough of herself to share it with me!  Congrats, Kimmy!

Monday, October 14, 2013

I lied - just a few more pictures...

I took pictures of windows - I like windows as much as I like doors.
I love the moss and plant growing over the window.
 I love this next one because it is in such disarray that is is crooked.  
 A few plants will dress up any window...
 I love this window because there are three parts to it:  Glass on the inside, a grate in the middle, and glass again on the outside.  It was about a foot deep. 
 This next building is/was a convent.  They felt the nuns should not look out onto the [worldly] streets, so all of the REAL windows face the inside courtyard.  
They painted the FAKE windows facing the streets.
 This window was to our hotel room.  Don't think I'm crazy, but it totally freaked me out.  
How many hotel rooms on the third floor - in the U.S. - actually open?  Few, if any.  
I think they are afraid someone will jump, so the windows don't actually open, unlike this one.
MaryAnna was amused at my reaction to this window.
Also, look across the street.  The white shutters are rolling shutters to the patios of the apartments.
They could totally be closed off and I thought it was interesting.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

I am GREEN with envy!

GREEN, I tell you.  I am also happy for MaryAnna, but still envious!
Yesterday, I attended a cookout/party for MaryAnna because she retired... worked her last day... stopped working... on Friday.  I am looking forward to the day when I will be able to work part-time... sleep in... craft more... take a walk at 11:00 in the morning... or do whatever it is I want to do.
I was having such a good time, I forgot to take pictures until the end of the evening.  This photo was MaryAnna's Glamour Shot that she did with a group of girlfriends a couple of years ago.
 This photo was put on the cake - someone definitely had fun picking out that photo!
Her family was in town, lots of friends.  It was a nice time.  And... I'm still envious.  :)
Congrats, MaryAnna.  Enjoy what changes come your way.

Friday, October 11, 2013

So green - my absolute favorite color!

The country was green ... and lush... and stunning - like it came out of a movie or what you might see on a postcard.







 Plitvice Lakes is a national park and is stunning - even in the rain.



 This next one looks like it should be in a travel brochure.
 One thing we noticed is that the ducks looked really plump!
 I thought this was so unique - it is a fountain.  If you look close, you can see the water
coming out of the top - causing moss to grow all over it.

 The hills are alive with the sound of music!  Ahhhhhh!

 So picturesque.

I have more pictures, but won't make you suffer through them.
I really enjoyed my trip.  
I loved learning about another culture and trying new foods.
I found the buildings fascinating - definitely WWII-ish.
Where should I go next year?  I am open to suggestions.


Thursday, October 10, 2013

Some private photos

of toilets seen on my trip.  There were more than these, but I was not able to snap photos of all of them.  I had never seen some of the buttons designed for flushing.
 This one actually had an "on/off" switch.
There was one - BUT I DIDN'T GET A PICURE OF IT - that disappeared into the wall for sanitization.  Darn!  

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Stepping back in time...

I felt like we were walking back in time when visiting the villages throughout the countryside of Croatia.

 In the next two photos, you can see a couple of things:
1.  The graffiti - I was surprised at how painted graffiti was all over the city.
2.  The electrical wires hanging from one building to the next.  
These buildings were not equipped with electric outlets.
 It is hard to see in this picture, but everyone hung their laundry out of their windows.


 The stone walkways were like mazes, going all directions, up and down.
These happen to be in the oldest part of Dubrovnik, within the palace walls which 
date back to the 7th century.
 This is my absolute favorite picture.  It is blurred because we were traveling on the bus.
It depicts so much of the countryside seen on our trip.


 Every village is centered around a church or cathedral.
 They take pride in their flower boxes and they offer such a bright splash of color.

 So many of their buildings are in total disrepair and they don't have the money to fix them.
 Again, flowers...
 We were told that the outside of the buildings are in bad shape, 
but the insides have been updated.




 This last picture is blurred, but I wanted to show you that this is what the homes look like
while they are being built.  They look vacant, but people actually live there.
And the building could last for years.
The bottom floor may be completely empty, but there will be families living on the top floors.
When they are finished, they will be stuccoed and painted a pastel color (you can see some in the very first picture.)